Vedasri Siddamsetty

When searched on Google look what first showed up!

So, as an Indian and a Hindu, Diwali is very much the,  “that time of the year”! The time when spring cleaning comes into full force, old things are thrown out and brand new things filling up the home and the wardrobe. It does more than a little help that Singapore celebrates Diwali with quite a bit of gusto. Little India is decorated and sweets are definitely in the offing. With two weeks to go its time for the Diwali fairs, much to my surprise Ive been to two fairs and they are a little or no different than the ones in Delhi! So many Indians you think, well it is!

My favorite Indian festival has always been Diwali and hence Ive covered it in every high-school hindi essay of mine. The essay topic is the most often repeated question in the Hindi exam, and probably the examiners love it too! The otherwise prim and proper city of Singapore too allows for bursting a few little crackers in the East Coast Park (or so Ive heard) on Deepavali, like they call it.

With 12 days to go, its time to make that Diwali plan!

Its hence time for more Diwali fairs, Diyas, the bling, and all the splurging!

Now if youre wondering whether am suddenly going ballistic then well, let me tell you that’s how a F1 car’s engine sounds real close-up!

Now add to that a million tonnes of carbon soot and smoky expulsions. Thats what the F1 tarmac smells up close!!

Apart from the two above stated phenomena the rest of it, is nothing short of spectacular. Frankly it was my first F1 race, on and off the television. The only thing I knew about the sport was Micheal Schumacher, well that had more to do with General Knowledge and Omega, lovely watches I say. So when we got the tix to go watch the race I had a short span to acquaint myself with this ultra-grand and extremely polluting sport!!

The Singapore Grand Prix happens on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The lap crosses over a 100-odd year old bridge, shirks through a couple of ancient monuments, and blasts across the marina, the flyer and a couple of more stellar buildings in the heartland. Zooming and emanating some excruciating decibel level it is not very surprising why birds are never seen in the Marina Bay! With ear-plugs though its quite a breeze. The Bay Grandstand offers the view of the Marina Bay Sands, the CBD and the brightly lit skyline of Singapore. With two bends through the Bay Grandstand, we saw the cars, slow down and show themselves better. The Bay Grandstand has a stage and performances from time to time. Vettel proved to be a champion with more than an 8-second lead right from the start! That guy really grows out wings on red-bull. 😉

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Since the race-winner seemed pre-determined the exciting parts were Hamilton’s incident, Schumacher’s crash and Linkin Park. Oh my! Arent they absolutely fabulous! Shakira gave some belly-dancing lessons and her Hips dont lie, sounded awesome live! Linkin Park’s visuals and the music were so ultimately rockstar.

With crazy good organisational skill, the event was very convenient providing good food, good times, and good feelings! There is certainly that adrenaline rush when the famed F1 car zooms past you, my heart was certainly beating faster. Food’s super expensive in the zones, and youre really doing your bit of charity for the year by purchasing water ;).

The sport-bug has caught on and looking forward to the next race in Korea!

Btw the Abu Dhabi F1 centre, has a roller-coster that mimics the speed of the F1 car. That makes it one more thing on the list!! The other being Masdar ofcourse 🙂

P.S. Do not wear a bright red-ferrari t- shirt when the stand is full of navy blue Red-Bullers. Bullying may be a considerable risk!

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

–Mother Teresa

Clad in Black from head to toe, donning a pair of oversized, black framed glasses, lean and jumpy, messed hairdo, a boe-tie for the men, flowing locks for the women, a moleskine in hand and marker in the pocket. Thats how a quientessential architect looks like. Or rather then, you can be assured of unstoppable creativity and eccentric ways. Black has always been the color of architects. Nothing else is as stark, as chic and never will give away the frumpiness that comes after long hours in studio, or the largely sleepless nights! Architecture has always been an attempt at iconic expressions and the  stamp of the civilisations, about art that ties in technology, it has never been only about shelter.  As materials were discovered and structural technology harnessed, the zest and variety in the construction of buildings kept evolving. Nature or the environment were never the limiting factors. Right from the stone-age till now what I would call the Oil-age. Like Dr Jonathan Trent, of NASA, told me the other day, “Stone-age didn’t end because we were out of stone!”. He is right in his belief that nature will never be a limiting factor for man’s use of resources, it would only challenge the boundaries of the construction materials and use. When fossil fuels are beginning to be projected as depleting, its time for another round of exploration and discovery. Only this time, its all about innovation.

Innovation is defined as bringing something new to the table, in layman’s terms. And very apparently marrying Architecture to the Environment is the innovation in the next generation of buildings. Ken Yeang, the master architect feels that tying the building with all its systems to the hinterland will help in making it very natural. Am a little concerned then about the hinterland! The massive volumes of air/waste generated by my fellow beings is bound to have an adverse effect on the so called pristine hinterlands. In that case energy that we consume and give out needs to be precariously balanced with the environment. With that we can aim at starting what Prof. Kishnani, calls the virtuous cycle of green. Wherein the energy, water and all other systems work as closed loops. Active systems and Passive systems are in summary what run a piece of architecture, a building. For that we need the right proportions of Einstein and Corbusier, read a sceintist and an architect. Because in the end the focus is on innovative architecture.

The United Nations Environment program has a budget that runs into a few billions, that are earmarked for scientific progress and discovery that will assist in the making of a very nimble footed construction industry. That is the next challenge considering the huge amounts of environmental resources go into the manufacturing of the gazillion products made for the industry. In terms of ranking, the interiors, then the envelope and then the structure in the same order have a carbon footprint. And hence tackling the issues each one poses in the same order would be an intelligent start. After the iconic aspect of a building the most important is its indoor quality. The Interior spaces thus have a potential and a large influence in the general scheme of things. The industry is just about getting out of its nascent stages and clearly a lot of interest and input from various other bodies will be required. When I say NASA has an interest in Green Buildings, that they are finally looking at more earthly ventures, it means something. The idea is for innovation to thrive, an integrated approach is but for, essential. There are unfortunately no two ways about it.

When I find sustainable lines of clothing like Green Owl, or sustainable lines of jewelry, stationery, cars, computers, footwear, cosmetics, plastics, its a revelation into the potential and the gains for the entire world in turning green. Its not just the Building sector. Its the new phenomenon.

Green is the new Black. However its not Black ofcourse.

P.S. Happy singapore Green Week!

The Fence, a grim projection without intervention!

Source: Author

Endless affection coupled with wisdom

Unbelievable intuition of weaved in notion

Of Brilliant reinvention at every stage of life

Of Learning the ropes and beating all strife

Instilling in me the power of being nice

Cooling me down when full of spice

Being an audience no matter the dance

Seeing that we were all given a chance

Exuding the strength of quiet courage

Whilst signing warns of the false mirage

Lending a ear to hear our premise

Besides never failing with the perfect advice

Classic, eternal and ever smiling

Sealing memories that will never stop flashing

Encouraging ideals and integrity in living

Hoping for the best besides believing

Chiding, at fault and Glowing, with pride

Making life one hell of a ride

Inspiring the good and forgiving the bad

Cheering us on as we faced the grind

Feeling our emotions however deep

And gauging ahead what we may reap

When distressed telling us to take it easy

Reinstating that happiness is but being breezy

Reading our faces no matter the hour

Preventing our minds from going sour

Providing the warm fuzzy cover

And also listening in to mid-night natter

With Warmth that smoothens

The roughest of feathers

You have taught well, full and forever

Blessing our lives with countless moments

Nainamma you will be treasured forever.

If there is one place where the rural wins over the urban its got to be in England. The countryside is beautiful.

We experienced driving through the country-side, with our first stop at the Stonehenge. The ancient monument of blue-stones has a lot of mystery that surrounds it. Its actually nothing one may say, they wouldnt be entirely wrong. But if architecture is all about place-making then the Stonehenge is definitely architecture. As a place its significance is very strong and very rooted. The perfect English Meadow of green grass and blue skies is all over the horizon. The breeze here is spectacular and is Stonehenge is definitely a picnickers paradise. Not that the authorities will ever allow you to picnic there!

The drive is wonderful, my first in England! The GPRS was to the rescue as it even notified of the speed limits and the picture points. The infrastructure makes a world of a difference in the quality of the place.

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After the Stonehenge, we clearly wanted more of the countryside as we drove listlessly and intuitively we stumbled upon the city or Town of Bath. The road leads down-hill and slowly but certainly unfolds the Georgian town of Bath. The historic city looks so sublime and perfect. The mist in the air only enhanced the mysterious nature of the place. Its a slice of history all the way. Walking up to the Crescent, its a housing estate built on a hill in theb shape of a crescent one passes the house of Jane Austen. It looks modest yet inspiring. Mansfield Park, the novel was penned by Austen in the setting of Bath. A literature buff, its almost like treading onto the scene! The crescent though is spectacular. Simple housing, in function much like those seen in London but in soul its music.

Everything in Bath is within walking distance, if you can bear the weather then even better. The flowers were in bloom in July and impressions are made. The parks, the follies are all in place, a stage set for action! It stirs the creative energies whilst at the same time providing that much need relaxation and calming the nerves. If I ever had my way to choose a place to dissapear into for novel-writing or etching the canvas it would be Bath! For sure! The means, am not sure!

From its name, it even has the thermal Baths and a very stocked nature park. The day we spent at Bath was also the graduation day at the University. The whole town looked extremely festive with students in their cape and proud parents by their sides. At lunch we bumped into plenty of Graduation lunches and could almost read the conversation at every table! The parents, the graduates all ever-smiling, celebrating the moment and chirping about the future!  Oh what fun it is! It reminded me of my wonderful years at college and then graduation. Being there spontaneously was the best part of it. Bath wasnt on our itenary but it turned out to be so unforgettable.

Probably thats what a traveller really needs, an open mind! Then the journey is that much more fun and that much more spectacular. Lessons after an adventure!

Another lesson, Bath completely proves that architecture is indeed Frozen Music, complete with cresendos and diminuendos.

A journey is wonderful when it doesnt make you yearn for home and complete when it does make you want to go home! This one was surely wonderful.

It made me hum this tune all the way back!

Moon river, wider than a mile
I’m crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you’re goin’, i’m goin’ your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end, waitin’ ’round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me

(moon river, wider than a mile)
(i’m crossin’ you in style some day)
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you’re goin’, i’m goin’ your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after that same rainbow’s end, waitin’ ’round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me

Of the Queen and Crown is London Town. As an English Literature buff its real easy and smooth to get along with London, its just as described by Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle and countless others who have based their writing on this charming, warm and storybook city. London does not have a facade, it has a personality. Every street, every building, every person speaks a language and its called English! Its nothing short of a spectacular achievement considering how far and wide their empire really went. We all have rubbed shoulders with all British things all our life. Take the language for instance! The Romans are said to have founded Londonium and then Londonium has does really well for itself!

Flying in from Amsterdam, sitting on the right side of the aircraft and landing at Heathrow means that we have a blissful aerial tour of the city and its landmarks. The clear skies greeted a warm welcome as we saw the London Eye, the Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben, the Trafalgar Square, the Downing street and tried spotting the Shakespeare Globe theatre. Once in and walking round the city the very very inconvenient rain came and went as it wished. Good Lord! I would cry everytime I got soaked and waited to dry as the sun came out. Umbrellas were forgotten at home and thats the stupidest thing to do while in London. Harrruummpph! But the charm of the city inspite of the rain is sure to get to you. Hey Hey Harrods! The umpteen museums and parks make walking a real pleasure. The Kensington gardens along the Buckinham palace I liked a lot. Well it did have something to do with the fact that the quirky RCA is housed right there.

A peek into the street on nobility got a glance of the gates to Lakshmi Mittal’s house. That man’s success is inspiring when I say inspiring, I mean inspiring! King Albert’s hall is genius and the entire area is spelt POSH.

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A walk in the Park, we are reminded that the late Princess Diana spent her last years in the Kensington apartment and was often seen enjoying the gardens. Such stories and print media only spark off an imaginative cycle of people and places and standing right there I only tried my hugely effervescent imagination in action. The shops on the Kensington Avenue are so to speak – OFF limits!

The Buckingham Palace is not so though. But the Queen was not in ;). Amid the breezy showers stood the Palace Guards and long throngs of visitors. The irresistable charms were all playing their part. The Buckingham Palace looks shiny and new, the architects who revamped the Palace did a fabulous job I think. The Palace unlike all other palaces in the world had what I call a very engaging feel to it. Probably because its really lived-in and not trying too hard to impress or make a spectacle of itself. The downpour wasnt so gracious and I tried to absorb the Buckingham palace through my drenched hood while my jeans did all they could to absorb the chilly rain. Blah! The most awesome thing about London? The English Accent! Its epic. I listened carefully trying hard not to be bothered by rain as our “English” Guide filled us in with details of the place. The very recent wedding of Prince William familiarized us with the Palace, the Westminster Abbey and all else that comes it the way. The city unlike others has a very humane appeal to it. None of the buildings look old/weathered. I wonder why? Others think its because the city was never attacked, but for the Great Fire ofcourse which was very very long ago. The architecture is Marvellous, the Jacket Potatoes are yum. Slowly we were discovering London, by foot, by bus, by taxi and by the underground.

The underground is another story all-together. After months on the Singapore metro system the London tube is completely fictional. Dragging my luggage up and down was a nightmare. No elevators! And cobbly wobbly stairs with assymmetrical landings and sudden turns or exits. SO very story-book I tell you! And completely painful! But was not painful was the network, network wise its a dream. Reaching places was not in the least difficult. English Language I tell you.

So the next place I was dying to see in London was the Trafalgar Square. Though we couldnt walk through the square we walked around it. The reason? Harry Potter serie’s last movie was being preimeired somewhere there and people were camping for over 12 hours at that point. Jeez! The rain didnt deter their spirits as tents were pulled out and umbrellas were opened. The crowd however didnt budge. I wouldve been there for sure if I were a Londoner 😉 But am not, so I quietly checked out the fringes of the Square. The National museum along the square is a breeze. One of those grim yet artsy buildings in the area. Tate Modern was missed this time around. But there has to be something for the next time right?! Oh yes, also we donated quite an exorbitant sum for a perfectly pathetic umbrella on Trafalgar square. The stubborn thing wont open or close even today. Ive kept it, as a reminder of being fleeced in London town. 😛

Tons of museums, parks and glorious buildings testify of Englands gleaming history. There is so much for those interested in the past as there is for those who are interested in the future. Along the Thames and to the newer part of London we bumped into Bond Street, the Ghirkin,(for the non-architects, its the building by Sir Norman foster, its a nickname), Elm Street and so much more. At this point I have to say that Lord Norman Foster is my favorite starchitect, of them all. So back to my pount if youve read of its streets, London becomes truly a fantasy. And if not, then well it stirs your imagination. The city is very charming and can work its charm on you whatever your taste is. My dear Husband for instance is charmed by the London Stock Exchange, and to my joy the Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. All by the Thames. 

The next very predictable stop is  the Madame Tussauds museum. Let me tell you that not all the wax figures are akin to the people but its so much fun to have a glimpse of people who have left an indelible mark in the world. The Indian celebrities, Albert Einstein, Audrey Hepburn and Tom Cruise were to my liking. Ooh yes and Adolf Hitler. I have proof of repremanding him. He was so stunned that he didnt even blink an eye-lid :P. Lady Gaga I thought found her way into the museum so very soon! What was truly heart-beat stopping in the Madame Tussauds was the Scary House. It was pretty scary. Faint of heart my advice, dont even try it!!! And the dare-devils, go alone!

So after the scare, it was time for food. And we headed to London’s version of our cold storage. And then gorged on cheese sandwiches, pickled to perfection. The tarts and scrunches were only gladdly added on. Stocking up our reserves made us ready to hit the town again.

London, like it or not will easily grow on you. Its charm is irresistable. Wouldnt it be lovely, to spend a little chunk of a breezy existance, even on holiday in this classic city? Audrey Hepburn certainly thinks so. The tea-drinkers will find their taste, the shoppers will find their stores, the architects will find their buildings, the foot-ballers their teams, the readers will find their literature. In short London is certainly worth everyone’s salt.

And you can take my word for it.

Am for one not turning my back on, “theres always a next time” here.

There will be. 😉